Uncanny valley

[David Lahey]

Repainting twinshock fuel tanks that have multiple colours and swoopy patterns and have them look like the original is a challenge. It's the main reason why I've gone for custom tank colour schemes on some of my bikes.
The TYs with the swoopy colour schemes are tricky ones. This is the first TL fuel tank I've done and it is every bit as tricky as a TY175 B, C TY250 B, C. Not only does the pattern have to look right from the side, but both sides have to match very well on top.
I tried using skinny masking tape freehand many times but could not get it symmetrical. I eventually gave up and made a paper half-pattern for the top side of the tank which worked OK just don't tell my wife that I raided her scrapbooking supplies for the tracing paper.

[David Lahey]

The red bit is now painted.
The silver and black stripes are next.

[tat ty]

Definitely a labour of love David.

[Bully fanatic]

Practice is the go David. The more you do it the better you get at it. I suppose that goes for anything. I got good at masking, spraying all the WM meat trucks many years ago as a third year apprentice. I had to put all these different colour stripes onto the cabs of these prime movers. That was fun.